Canadian man faces court for indecent acts on international flight
A 28-year-old Canadian national will face court today for allegedly performing indecent acts on a flight from Hong Kong to Adelaide last night (Thursday, 17 January).
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) will allege that the man, who was travelling to Australia on a student visa, indecently assaulted two female cabin crew members. He was restrained by crew and passengers and handcuffed for the remainder of the flight.
AFP and Australian Border Force (ABF) officers boarded the plane on its arrival into Adelaide to escort the man off the flight where he was later arrested and charged following interviews with witnesses.
AFP State Manager South Australia Commander Peter Sykora said any form of serious criminal behaviour on board an airline would be subject to the full force of the law.
“No one should be subjected to abusive acts in the course of carrying out their job as we will allege happened to these female cabin crew members,” Commander Sykora said.
“This should serve as a reminder to the community that authorities will not tolerate abhorrent behaviour, whether it’s in the air or on the ground. The penalties can be severe.”
The man was transported to the Adelaide City Watch House and charged with two counts of Act of Indecency in the Third Degree (s.59 Crimes Act 1900 ACT) and one count of Act of Indecency Without Consent (s 60 Crimes Act 1900 ACT). The maximum penalty for these offences is 10 and 7 years respectively.
The man was remanded in custody overnight and is expected to appear before the Adelaide Magistrate’s Court today (Friday, 18 January) for a bail hearing.
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